Priyanka Chopra Shares Harrowing Details of Daughter Malti's Premature Birth
Global actress Priyanka Chopra has provided a deeply personal and emotional account of the traumatic birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, revealing new and distressing details about the infant's precarious early days. In a candid interview on the mental health-focused podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty, the actress described the overwhelming experience of learning her daughter would be born prematurely at just 27 weeks gestation.
Emotional Shutdown and Medical Crisis
Priyanka Chopra confessed that upon receiving the news of the premature birth, she emotionally "shut down" as a coping mechanism. The actress detailed the alarming condition of Malti at birth, painting a vivid picture of the immediate medical crisis. She revealed that her newborn daughter's skin was a bright purple color, indicating severe oxygenation issues, and that Malti's mouth was so exceptionally small that medical professionals initially struggled to intubate her for essential breathing support.
The medical challenges continued intensively in the days following birth, with Malti requiring six blood transfusions to stabilize her fragile condition. Priyanka described the subsequent 110 days as an exhausting marathon of hospital visits and constant vigilance as her daughter fought for survival in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Conscious Emotional Suppression During Ordeal
Throughout this prolonged medical ordeal, Priyanka Chopra made a conscious decision to suppress her own fear and anxiety. "I couldn't allow myself to feel fear," she explained during the podcast interview, expressing her belief that her infant daughter would sense her emotional state and become even more frightened. This emotional discipline became a crucial part of her coping strategy during the family's hospital vigil.
Despite the severe complications and extended hospital stay, Malti eventually stabilized enough for discharge. Priyanka recalled that when they finally brought their daughter home, she remained exceptionally small but had demonstrated remarkable resilience that both surprised and inspired her parents.
Current Thriving Status and Family Reflection
Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, who recently celebrated her fourth birthday, is now thriving and healthy. Her father, musician Nick Jonas, has previously described every day with their daughter as a "precious gift", reflecting on the profound journey the family has endured since Malti's traumatic premature arrival. The couple's openness about their experience has brought increased awareness to the challenges faced by families with premature infants and the emotional toll of neonatal intensive care.
Priyanka Chopra's decision to share these intimate details publicly represents a significant contribution to conversations about maternal mental health, premature birth trauma, and family resilience in the face of medical crises. Her story highlights both the fragility of early life and the extraordinary strength that can emerge from such challenging beginnings.
